The Lawrence Hall of Science

The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.

Improving Outdoor Science Teaching and Learning: The Implementation of a Capacity-Building Model in Outdoor Science Programs

By Valeria Fike Romero, Melissa Collins, Aujanee Young, Vicky Laina, Rena Dorph, Aparajita Pande, Craig Strang and Jedda Foreman

This paper examines the role and value of professional learning and organizational capacity building in outdoor science education by investigating several questions analyzing the Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing (BEETLES) Project: (1) Which components of the BEETLES capacity-building model were implemented? (2) What were the perceived impacts of BEETLES materials and resources on program practices, structures, and capacities? (3) What challenges did programs face in using materials and resources?

Year: 2022

Pages: 27

Download (PDF)

Topics:

  • Capacity Building
  • Environmental & Outdoor Science Education

Related Publication

The value of outdoor environmental education programs for girls and youth of color: cultivating positive dispositions toward science and the environment

By Melissa A. Collins, Valeria Fike Romero, Aujanèe Young, Rena Dorph, Jedda Foreman, Craig Strang, Aparajita Pande and Vasiliki Laina

Outdoor environmental education (OEE) programs can provide a valuable entry point for youth of color and girls who may have felt excluded and/or marginalized from [...]

View Article

Peaks and Valleys: A landscape study of environmental literacy implementation in and out of California’s TK-12 classrooms

By Melissa A. Collins, Devin A. Cavero, Alex Sanchez, Jedda Foreman, Amy Frame, Valeria F. Romero, Andra Yeghoian, Karen Cowe and Sarah Pedemonte

For decades, Californians—like populations around the world—have been experiencing the ramifications of centuries-long environmental destruction. Children and youth across the state have demonstrated their deep [...]

Download (PDF)

View Article

BEETLES: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Model to Support Outdoor Science Programs

By Valeria Romero, Vasiliki Laina and Aparajita Pande

This brief shares (1) the underlying goals and design principles for the BEETLES project, (2) a summary of the field-testing process, and (3) program leaders’ [...]

Download (PDF)

Impacts from COVID-19: Resilient Outdoor Science Programs Need Support as Challenges Persist

By Melissa Collins, Aparajita Pande, Craig Strang, Jedda Foreman and Rena Dorph

More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States and forced widespread lockdowns, closures, and social distancing, the field of outdoor science [...]

Download (PDF)